As an appropriate conclusion to Grand Valley’s 50th anniversary, an announcement will be made that the university's first comprehensive campaign is coming to a close at the end of June and has far surpassed its original goal of $50 million.
University and community leaders will announce the total
raised-to-date for the Shaping Our Future campaign at the
annual Enrichment Dinner, hosted by Grand Valley University Foundation
and set for June 8 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
"We have so much to celebrate as we carry the momentum of
this campaign into the next 50 years at Grand Valley," said
President Thomas J. Haas. "We owe the success of this campaign to
our community friends, loyal supporters of this university, who
believed in us in 1960 and will continue to support us in the future."
More than 1,600 people are expected at the Enrichment Dinner. A
reception will begin at 6 p.m., dinner and program at 7 p.m.
Dan and Pamella DeVos, co-chairs of Shaping Our Future,
will make the announcement about the campaign numbers. Joining them
will be campaign co-chairs Jim and Donna Brooks and honorary chairs
Rich and Helen DeVos.
Shaping Our Future was launched in 2007 and concludes at the
end of June 2011. Gifts to the comprehensive campaign have helped fund
the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, L.
William Seidman Center and other capital projects, academic programs,
academic centers, endowed chairs, and more than 90 new private
scholarships.
Prior to the campaign announcement, the Enrichment Dinner
audience will celebrate 14 West Michigan leaders whose involvement,
leadership and support have shaped Grand Valley. These "Grand
Stewards" are listed below; family members will accept posthumous honors.
• Bill and Sally Seidman; Rich and Helen DeVos; Fred and Lena
Meijer; Bob Pew II and Mary Idema Pew; Peter and Pat Cook; Seymour and
Esther Padnos; and Stuart and Barbara Padnos.
"We are so honored by the generosity of our Grand
Stewards," said Maribeth Wardrop, vice president for University
Development. "West Michigan is a special place and Grand Valley
has benefited from generations of families who continue to support the
work we do."
For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/giving/sof.
DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO
* President Haas said the campaign was so successful they decided to stretch the goal (audio).
* President Haas said he is overwhelmed by a record number of donors to the campaign (audio).
* President Haas said the success of the campaign speaks to the vision of GVSU founder Bill Seidman (audio).
* President Haas said the campaign is all about the students (audio).
* Jim Brooks, campaign co-chair, said this level of support will provide scholarships and world-class programs (audio).
* Brooks said the Enrichment Dinner celebrates those who support Grand Valley and the vision of Bill Seidman (audio).
